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This year, Sibenik-Knin County co-funds 30 projects in tourism with 300 thousand HRK, which will significantly enrich the offer of recreational, cultural and rural tourism in the area. A large number of biking and hiking tracks, quality enhancement
by numerous events and investments in rural estates will enable Šibenik-Knin County to have an increasing number of satisfied tourists of all profiles. Among others, Šibenik-Knin County supports projects that will provide Vodice, Knin and the Municipality of Tisno with newly developed biking tracks, and the Municipality of Tribunj will get a network of biking tracks. The county also provides financial support for development of biking and hiking tracks in Pirovac and the local event called On Foot to the Beauties of Pirovac. Newly developed hiking and biking tracks in the municipalities of Primošten and Kistanje will also enrich the future recreational tourist offer, while the increase in the cultural offer level will be reflected in the co-funding of harmony singing evenings in Sibenik and other events and festivals held mostly in summertime, in addition to the event in Pirovac. The county allocated smaller amounts of money to numerous rural estates that have been turning to rural tourism for renovation and expansion of the existing capacities. In addition to the most popular tourist destinations – Jurlinovi dvori in the village of Drage in Primošten hinterland and the rural estates in Kalpi?i and Dubrava in Tisno hinterland – the tourists will be able to enjoy an improved offer of numerous other estates in the area. A family estate in Skradin will provide a tasting facility for their sweet delicacies prepared from almonds, dates, figs, carobs and other kinds of fruits and vegetables. A family estate in Miljevci Bogaticki has a meat curing plant and plans to improve the surrounding area to provide the guests with a visual pleasure in addition to the gastronomic one. An estate in Ružic will begin to build swimming pools and bathroom facilities.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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Wine is an inevitable part of Istria’s identity, and the wine roads are an organic part of the tourist offer. They are the first selective tourist project and the first one that does not relate to the sea and beaches. Representing a dynamically developing process of a traditional, cultural, economic and tourist nature, they receive over 130 thousand visitors a year. There are presently six wine roads in the Istrian region: in the areas of Buje, Porec, Buzet, Pazin, Rovinj, Vodnjan and Labin, including 88 itineraries/stations. Renowned winemakers are involved in the wine road project, striving to present their wines in an appropriate manner. The visitors first see the vineyards, then take a tour of the cellars where they are told about grape processing and wine keeping, and finally taste the products. Many winemakers grow their own olives and make prosciutto, pickled mushrooms and other products, including them in their offer. Numerous visitors choose to buy wine because it is much cheaper in the cellars than restaurants or stores. Both winemakers and their guests agree that a wine itinerary can be just as exciting as visiting a museum, a basilica or an important sporting event. Wine roads were a predecessor of agrotourism in Istria’s interior. Today, the county and the county tourist board support wine roads, especially their promotion. Wine roads contribute to human engagement in the preservation and reconstruction of the original ambient and traditional legacies, thus enriching the tourist product. In addition, the people of Istria have realized they generate loyal guests who come back not just during the season but in preseason and postseason, providing each winemaker with the opportunity to promote their wine and other products.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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After five years of careful planning and obtaining the necessary permits, construction of the Adriatica project, a replica of the small tourist town of Supetar on the island of Brac, has recently begun in North Texas. This is a result of the emotional devotion of Jeffory Blackard, president of Blackard Group Inc., who has remained fascinated by Supetar after investing in a hotel and other facilities, and wanted to build a replica of the town nearby, in Texas. After a lengthy search, he found the ideal place in Stonebridge, an 18-hectare piece of land having the additional benefit of a lake that should play the role of the Supetar port. Construction of the Texas Supetar began in September and will go on in several phases. The first one is to build a castle with around 2800 square meters of office space that will hold a real estate agency and several other lessees, a café, a wine bar and a spa, as well as a five-story bell tower where the investor company’s will have its head office. The rest of this year will be used to build the infrastructure and paved streets, while the building of the residential units will begin in the early 2009. The project also includes 13 lakeside villas having surface areas of 230 to 600 square meters, and 62 row houses having surface areas of 130 to 320 square meters. Despite the high prices, the villas have already been sold and the houses are selling very well, which makes the entrepreneurial love for Supetar a very lucrative business. In addition to the design, what makes the Adriatica project different than others is the promised lifestyle, the overall atmosphere and offer of which will, according to Mr. Blackard, remind people of the increasingly appreciated Mediterranean lifestyle. To those who find Texas too far, we recommend enjoying the authenticity of the original Supetar on the island of Brac, as well as many other small towns in Dalmatia and the entire Croatian coastal area and the islands.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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New projects are being prepared on Pelješac Peninsula in South Dalmatia that will significantly enrich the tourist offer of both the region and the entire Croatia – the reconstruction and tourist validation of the historical Napoleon Road and opening of a wine museum. Both projects were supported by the Croatian Ministry of Tourism. Although it is still not quite certain whether the tourists will be able to see them next year, the projects will certainly save this region’s past and tradition from falling into oblivion. The wine museum is merely one of the attractions that should bring tourists here. In addition to an oil mill, a winery and former wine and oil production methods, the tourist complex would present a collection of written
materials and items from the ancient times, so this museum would enable the guests to see the life and some customs of Pelješac over several centuries, even millennia. Built two centuries ago, the Napoleon Road goes through the most beautiful parts of Pelješac with several zero-category monuments alongside, which certainly increases its tourist value. In the section of the route to Ston, which many refer to as Small Dubrovnik, Ponikve, the mountain of Sveti Ilija (961 meters), and further along the peninsula, the road is mostly well preserved, which enables its tourist validation. The project should continue toward Dubrovnik, Neretva and Split. Situated in the Croatian south, Pelješac Peninsula is the second biggest Croatian peninsula, right after Istria in North Adriatic. Covered with evergreen vegetation and Mediterranean plants, the region has been known for winegrowing, olive growing and vegetable and fruit growing for centuries. Thanks to the exceptionally beautiful nature and close proximity of Dubrovnik and the island of Kor?ula, Pelješac Peninsula is very attractive for tourists. The most important tourist center is Orebi?, well known for its extensive tourist offer and as a ferry port providing the shortest connection between the mainland and the nearby island of Kor?ula.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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The Novi Spa Hotels & Resorts located in Novi Vinodolski is a unique luxury beach resort in Croatia. In addition to the largest
and most sophisticated spa center in Europe, the luxurious Novi Spa Hotels & Resort complex has an excellent offer of facilities satisfying even the most demanding guests. The resort represents a unique holiday spot in the Adriatic both for family holiday guests and those seeking wellness facilities, a romantic ambience, an active holiday filled with sporting options or business gatherings. It is only 20 minutes from the international airport in Rijeka and 90 minutes from Zagreb Airport, which makes the resort excellently connected with the entire world. The Novi Spa Hotels & Resort is situated on a mild slope along 1.5 kilometers of coastline, providing an unforgettable panoramic view from the balconies, terraces or gardens of all 130 hotels rooms and suites and 366 luxury suites in villas. The carefully designed interiors were harmonized with nature, supplementing it with state-of-the-art equipment and details found in the best resorts of the world. The resort offers its guests the services of the largest wellnesscenter in Europe, the largest and best equipped congress center in Croatia, numerous sporting options, a children’s club with special programs for the youngest ones, a shopping gallery, as many as 12 different restaurants that will delight even the most sophisticated gourmets, swimming pools, a sandy beach and a gravelly beach, and a wide range of nighttime entertainment options. Various family, spa & wellness, sporting and team building packages, makeover treatments, and congress, wedding and reception arrangements are just a part of the resort’s extensive program offer.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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If you wish to get to know the interior of the country on your way to the seaside or on your way back, we recommend you visit Krapina-Zagorje County, a region in the northwestern part of the country.

The area has amazing natural beauties, castles, cultural and historical landmarks, as well as excellent gastronomy and wines. This county is a separate geographic whole in the north, surrounded by the peaks of Macelj and Ivancica in the north, and Medvednica in the southeast. It shares borders with the Republic of Slovenia, Varaždin County and the capital city of Zagreb and Zagreb County. Its area makes it one of the smallest Croatian counties, but it has an above-average population density. Although primarily known as a Mediterranean destination, Croatia also has numerous tourist attractions in its continental part, interesting to an increasing number of guests. In addition to the thermal sources used in the spas in Krapinske Toplice, Stubi?ke Toplice and Tuhelj, equally attractive for health and recreational tourism, the popular hilly area attracts more and more guests with its beauty and playfulness – its roads and pathways are suitable for hiking, biking, visiting vineyards or country estates offering original food and homemade wine, and acquainting the guests with the traditional customs of the region. Krapina-Zagorje County also has numerous castles associated with many historical customs, important events and persons significant for Croatian history, as well as the history of the broader region. Many guests also come to the shrine in Krapina-Zagorje County – the most popular one is the national shrine of Marija Bistrica, but the churches of Mary of the Mountain in Lobor, Mary of the Snow in Belce and Mary of Jerusalem on Trški Vrh are also interesting. This area offers plenty of events throughout the year. For example, the Tabor Film Festival held 11 – 19 July in Veliki Tabor castle in Desini?. This event is among the most significant short film festivals in the region. Every Sunday in August, an event called The Summer with Krapina Neanderthal is held in the town of Krapina, the center of the county. As it happens, one of the richest paleoanthropological finding sites in the world is located right here, and there is a reconstructed Krapina Neanderthal and his family and some animals from the era on Hušnjakovo brdo. On 30 August, a presentation of a traditional Zagorje wedding, including the traditional music, dancing, food and beverage, is held in the Staro Selo Museum in Kumrovec, known as the birthplace of the president of former Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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Pag cheese bears the international Superior Taste mark The famous Pag cheese produced in the cheese plant Sirena- Mala sirana in Kolan owned by Ivan Gligora, has recently been awarded two golden stars and the right to label this cheese with the Superior Taste mark at the international Superior Taste event in Brussels. This is the greatest award so far for this cheese that has thus been included in the circle of seventy top food products in the world.

Ivan Gligora’s Pag cheese bears the marks of Original Croatian, Protected Geographic Origin and Croatian Island Product, and HACCP system principles are applied in its production. Pag cheese is made from sheep milk produced by the domestic autochthonous breed of Pag sheep. Mature cheese is 6 to 12 months old and has a distinctive piquant taste and a characteristic smell. It is served alone and may also be grated and added to meat and seafood delicacies.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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The premiere of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Don Carlos to be shown on 14 July in Peristil will mark the beginning of the 54th Split Summer. During the month of this traditional festival of opera, drama and dance, numerous artists from Croatia and abroad will perform, and the shows will take place in other attractive locations in Split, in addition to the old town core. As the festival has stepped out of the city’s boundaries, the Ero s onoga svijeta opera will be performed in Vrlika, in the very ambient where composer Jakov Gotovac placed the plot of this comedic three-act opera. The opera repertoire of this year’s Split Summer is arranged in the honor of the great Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, so the guests will be able to see a repeat performance of his Nabucco, while the Gripe Fort will be the venue for Mirela Ivcevic’s Za tri lipe.

The final concert Opera Stars in Split will be organized on 18 August in Prokurative and will feature famous soloists Svetla Vasileva, Clifton Forbis and Georgio Surjan. This year’s Split Summer will also include a number concerts featuring, among others, the Croatian Radiotelevision Symphony Orchestra, Varaždin Chamber Orchestra, National Academic Folklore Choir Veriovka, Rucner Quartet, Vlatko Stefanovski and guests, and many other musicians from the country and abroad. The drama program will include ten plays, two of which will be premieres. They are Euripides’s Bahke directed by Oliver Frlji?, and Summerfolk, directed by Jaunusz Kica and based on a piece written by Maxim Gorky, which will be performed in Villa Dalmacija. The 54th Split Summer is also expecting the arrival of the famous French director Peter Brook who will be presenting himself by Samuel Becket’s Fragments, and the play will be performed by Theatre des Bouffes du Nord of Paris. The highlights in this part are the repeat performance of Fedra, directed by Marc Sciaccaluga, which will be shown in the cellars of Diocletian Palace, Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by the Dubrovnik Summer Games troupe, and the performance of Croatia’s theater legend Pero Kvrgic. He will perform in two plays and will present his Stilske vježbe, directed by Tomislav Radic forty years ago and based on a play written by Raymond Queneau, in Bol on Brac. The dance program will feature a premiere of Midsummer Night’s Dream by Felix Mendelssohn, choreographed by Youri Vamos. The play will be given in Sustipan, which will also be the venue for Leonid Jacobson’s ballet school from St. Petersburg. The 54th Split Summer program will be accompanied with various other cultural events.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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British Telegraph Magazine pronounced Zlatni rat in Bol the most spectacular beach in Croatia and one of the most impressive ones in the Mediterranean, and published its photograph on the cover page. Although this is an unofficial selection of the best 17 beaches in European countries, the British magazine placed Zlatni rat among the most impressive Mediterranean beaches, stating that its magnificence is in the fact that it changes the shape and position depending on the wind. This is why the beach in Bol is ideal for windsurfing and and many other water sports.

At the time the issue of Telegraph Magazine with the list of the most beautiful European beaches was published, Bol was hosting the world kiteboard competition called Red Bull Golden Jump. This multi-day competition, the first one of the kind organized in Croatia, featured 14 professionals in this extreme sport. Athletes competing in kicker- wakestyle–freestyle disciplines also fought for the world title, jumping over platforms set up at the far end of the beach to its other side. As this sport has become increasingly popular in Croatia over the past few years and the world kiteboard championship in Bol attracted numerous spectators, Zlatni rat is expected to be the venue for competitions in this adrenaline sport in the future.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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Baska, a popular tourist destination on the Island of Krk, now has yet another high-category hotel – Hotel Atrium Residence Baska, classified as four and five stars. The hotel was built in the place of the former hotels Baska and Velebit. The total value of the investment is 56 million HRK. The hotel has 64 accommodation units, and its luxury suites have a five-star standard. Over the past few years, Hoteli Baska invested almost 100 million HRK in construction and renovation of its facilities, including the annex to Hotel Zvonimir transformed into Hotel Zvonimir, Adria annex transformed into Villa Adria with 12 apartments, reconstruction of Camp Zabla?e and the naturist camp Bunculuka.

The investment also provided for reconstruction of Hotel Baška-Corinthia and the most recent reconstruction of the said Hotel Atrium Residence Baska. The hotel complex was enriched with modern wellness facilities, a multipurpose congress area, and other facilities providing the guests with a pleasant stay. Baska happens to be a tourist center with a long-standing tradition. The beginnings of organized tourism date back to 1904, and the bathing area was developed and formally opened exactly one hundred years ago. The strong tourist orientation is confirmed by the fact that six hotels operated in Baška in 1914, and three more opened before 1930.

Source: press.croatia.hr

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